Putatan: The Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) has thrown their support for Datuk Michael Lui in the contest for the Sabah United Chamber of Commerce (SUCCC) president post.

PCCCI, under its President Frankie Liew, made the decision following a secret balloting during a closed-door meeting on Sunday.

SUCCC is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 31 in Labuan.

Lui, who is the President of the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber and Industry, will be up against incumbent President Datuk Seri Mohd Gan Sau Wah.

In a press conference on Sunday, Liew said two-thirds or 19 out of 23 of its committee members, who attended the meeting, deliberated on the issue before casting their votes.

The committee members also unanimously decided that Liew should contest for the SUCCC vice president post.

Liew, who accepted his Chamber's nomination, reiterated that he had chosen to remain neutral all this while, as he opined that it was important and appropriate for him to seek the views and consensus of his committee to decide on the matter, instead of imposing his wish upon them.

"This is also to preserve unity and family spirit among us, besides encouraging democracy in PCCCI," he added.

He also explained that the decision to support Lui was based on several key factors and considerations.

These were, among others, the close proximity of PCCCI and KKCCI, which are both from the West Coast zone; the decision would further enhance the 'brotherhood' of the two chambers together with the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The decision was also in support of Lui's election manifesto, which pledged to set up the various sub committees, as provided by the SUCCC's constitution.

Lui's swift response to PCCCI's views and request concerning the SJK (C) Hwa Shiong Putatan in the past also played a part in the committee's decision in support of him.

Also present in the meeting were PCCCI's Deputy President David Lo Vui Nyen and Secretary Michael Yong.